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Should Euthanasia or Physician-Assisted Suicide Be Legal?

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PRO (yes) Comments (150)

"Euthanasia lets people die with some dignity. Why let them continue to suffer if they have this option? If there's not cure why leave them in pain? It just doesn't make sense. Euthanasia is having a compassionate death."

"but you don't know if the cure is just tomorrow,you don't know if one day someone euthanizes another and the next morning they make a cure,no matter how hurt a person is no matter how far gone, would you take that risk?"

"There is a thing called a painkiller. Ever heard of it?Apparently not.And Euthanasia is bad in the first place because it is a moral duty to attempt to prevent suicide in general; euthanasia too. If someone is threatening to kill themselves it is your moral duty to try to stop them. You would not, for example, simply ignore a man standing on a ledge and threatening to jump simply because it is his or her choice; and you would definitely not assist in his suicide by pushing him. In the same way, you should try to help a person with a terminal illness, not help them to die."

"I believe that physician-assisted suicide is a human right, not a privilege. Everyone deserves to be put out of their misery when suffering from the symptoms of a severe medical condition, or from the medicinal side effects of potential treatment. It is inhumane to keep a suffering person alive against their own will. Sometimes it is less frightening to face a dignified death than to live your life in fear, forever waiting for a horrific, painful and unstoppable/uncontrollable demise. Everyone should have access to the death with dignity act, no matter their race, status or ethnicity; the choice of how you want to end your life applies to all humanity. Therefore, make this option available to all!"

"I totally, and whole heartedly agree with you on this one, especially since alot of people want to end their lives, be it because of a disease, mental illness, or whatever have you. I mean, who are WE to judge that particular person. It amazes me how hypocritical society is, when they say people have rights and freedom to do with their lives as they please, but when a person doesn't want to live anymore, all hell breaks loose. One question remains as far as this one goes, and that question is who controls and decides your life, right? It seems society does, and yet, they tell people, you can do with your life as you please. Can we say hypcrosy? I will never understand something like that. After all, if people truly have the right to do with their lives as they choose, then since it is that person's life, and they want to end it, shouldn't they have that particular right? Seems people are raised on nothing but lies and hypocrosy. After all, if someone wants to die, what makes those who are against PAS think that they won't either fly to sweden to end it, or try to do it by their own hand, right? If there was PAS, then there would be alot less problems. After all, if someone wants to die, shouldn't it be up to them, and not society?"

"People say a human life is never worth ending, that there is always joy to be found. But no one (including myself) understands what its like except the patient going through it. We can't know what it's like to know that you will die in a year and that it will be a slow and painful one. No one else understands, no one else should be able to decide."

"I feel we are being held on this earth against our will. We did not asked to be brought into this life. If we see no future for ourselves, or see no reason to continue here, shouldn't we have the option to "opt out"? With overpopulation, why not let ones who want to live and prosper stay. Those who are finished, let us go."

"If you are suffering to the point that you are grinding your teeth or are in so much pain you wamnt to have a quick death instead of a long painful death, you should have the choice. I can not imagine having such a pain and dying slowly in a bed."

"Euthanasia is a right. You can't say its wrong to want to die until you have felt the pain. Some people wake up, can't move, and then spend the day in bed in excruciating pain. Euthanasia is their wy into a better life, and it is something you should be able to do; if you wat to. The people that suffer need to have a better solution than pain and suffereing."

"This should be legal under certain circumstances ONLY. A person with ONLY a ill, or sickness that is incurable should they be allowed to Voluntary Euthanasia (When a competent person makes a voluntary and enduring request to be helped to die.). There should never be a time to where doctors can decide on Involuntary Euthanasia (To end a person's life without their knowledge or consent.). The only way this should be done is by Active Euthanasia (To end a person's life by use of drugs, whether by oneself or with the aid of a physician,) but only with aid of a physician. There should never allow Passive Euthanasia (To end a person life by not taking the necessary and ordinary action to maintain life. This can be done by withdrawing water, food, drugs, medical or surgical procedures,) beacuse this will only make them suffer more"

"I'm an ethics student at a college in England and we are currently studying euthanasia. I can't quite describe how I feel about this topic. I support the legalisation of it but I can understand most arguments against it. During my college course I have studied a Catholic idea called the Doctrine of Double Effect. This is where you try to do the thing with the best outcome in mind but it could have unfortunate side affects. So if applied to euthanasia, for example you try to relieve a patient of pain by increasing their medication but it speeds up their death. I understand this as my mum did the same thing with her mother. The doctors suggested increasing the Morphine to help with the pain, but ultimately it speeds up death. Under British law this is also legal. I'm still struggling to define my view on euthanasia but I think others comments has helped. I'm sorry if I've sounded insensitive on the topic but it's difficult to protray emotions on a screen. Thanks."

"Well, as far as the euthanisation goes, I think it is right for people to have that, if they are suffering, whether it is a terminal illness, or injury. I remember alot of people arguing against it, saying all kinds of messed up crap things, and those were really silly arguments. Truth of the matter is, that it is more humane to allow a person to go with death and dignity, than live and suffer in agony. With that being said, euthanization should be allowed. It would've prevented alot of problems. Look at the case with Dylan of the Columbine massacre, if euthanization was allowed, he would've gone with dignity. His diary said it numerous times, and if he was allowed that option, the shooting wouldn't have happened, and he could've gone in peace. If a person wants to leave this earth, they are going to do it one way or another, and the other may not be so nice, so with that being said, shouldn't they have the right to leave this earth with peace and dignity, rather than resort to something similar to the Columbine, or Boston bombing situation? Think about it for at least five minutes. Sometimes, allowing death with dignity can be more human and prevent problems, than sadistically allowing people who don't want to live to go on."

"Alot of the arguments against the euthaisation has to do with this "god" mumbo jumbo. What if there was another argument, such as preventing mass murder, such as the case with Dylan Klebold. (Read his diary before you decide to attack) as well as people like Brittany who was sick with terminal cancer who wanted to end her life. Why can't people in a country that gives people the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness allow people who want to take their own lives the right to do so? I mean, can people arguesomething other than the "god" angle for this? If we are allowed to do what we want with our lives, then shouldn't that include dignity with death? I know some use the mental illness angle to argue against it, but if a violently mentally ill person wanted to die, shouldn't they do so, in order to stop a rampage from happening, such as the case with Columbine, and/or other shootings, such as the Batman premier? I mean, most of the antis arguments are, for lack of a better word, quite childish at best. We need to look at this situation from REAL perspectives, such as what are the benefits of PAS, and maybe look at it from an educated perspective, rather than a perspective that an activist or media would use otherwise."

"it really is not terrible because the person can be in so much pain and they have no hope so what is the point for suffering so long just so you can die in pain and unexpectidly one ofr my old teachers grandfather knew he was gonna die but he dint have euthanasia as an option so huis last years consisted of him being in so much pain and he was grinding his teeth to they point were they eventually just broke. JUst imagine if you have cancer or aids or some other disease just imagine having to deal with death anfd pain staring you right in the face as you slowly and painfully start disappearing. So just try to imagine how miserable you would be for the rest of your life and your only option is for them to pull the feeding tube and starve to death for god knows how long, or just wait in pain till you die, its your choice."

"Eneryone that has had to suffer through the last days of thier lives die with no dignity. It's torcher to the person AND the family of the person. Why do we put down animals but dont allow humans to have their suffering ended?!?! Its painful to watch anyone suffering die, but to know that their is nothing you can do to help...you and the person lose their dignity."

"Anna brought up an excellent point about the Oath, however she was referencing the original Oath, telling surgeons not to use a knife, don't sleep with people while trying to heal someone, and women should not be given medicine. The modern Oath, changed and deleted several of these ridiculous rules and added one I think we should pay attention to:'But it also may be in my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility..." The Oath does mention assisted suicide. As someone who watched two of their relatives deteriorate quickly enough to the point they couldn't remember each other, I can safely say sometimes doing nothing or assisted suicide is the right answer."

"You bet your sweet a--!!!! We are more humane to our loved pets then we are to human, intolerable pain!!!!! Dupont has murdered my father and I. He was lucky enough to go quickly, I however have been suffering for 22 years of my life, I think that's enough time, don't you?"

"if you have a severe illness and if your in terrible pain that can not be helped, why would you want to stay alive and in pain? why would you want to sufer extreme pain with no relife? i belive in euthanasia because it helps people suffering with no relife from pain"

"Euthanasia is physician-assisted suicide, not physician-initiated killing. If the patient is worried about dying slowly and painfully, they are going to have the time to think about it and talk with the doctor. The doctor won't be saying, "you have an untreatable cancer, so I'll going to just kill you now to save you pain" and immediately kill them without waiting for an answer. When you go to a doctor's appointment, you talk with the doctor and they get to know what you think about whatever is the trouble. It’s not like the ER with surgery, where the surgeon probably doesn't talk to you at all but has your life in his hands. You will at least have the chance to say you want to think about it or that you don't want it--then if your doctor still wants to kill you, then it's murder. But why would the doctor want to have their patient die unless the patient wants it? What would they gain? I can't think of any good motive for a doctor intentionally killing their patient (without consent). I do not think there is any reasonable danger in allowing physicians to assist anyone that wants to die in their suicide. It's the patient's choice."

"It's the sick person's decision. I think at a certain point of being terminally ill the person should be allowed to govern their own life. Depression is treatable. Terminal sicknesses are not. Suicide by depression and suicide by sickness are completely different."

"People whom are against PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE: Every con comment i read lacked ethos (for many reasons), but mainly because they are all opinion based responses. Also, one con comment i read was so illogical that the definition they gave for "euthanasia" was completely made up by them and their biased opinion. Here is the CORRECT definition for euthanasia: Euthanasia, also called mercy killing, is the act of putting to death painlessly or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures, a person or animal suffering from an incurable, especially a painful, disease or condition.Another thing that bothers me is that fact that con people bring up religion. I am not religious, which being an american citizen i have the right to that freedom, it is disrespectful in ways i cannot explain to attempt to force your religion on others.The fact that abortion is even brought up in this discussion is ridiculous, honestly i should not even have to explain why. But for the sake of the people who obviously cannot figure it out - IT HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS TOPIC. the only thing that it has in common with the topic, is that they are both CHOICES. A choice that the terminally ill patient deserves to make."

"Euthanasia is advantageous in many more ways than disadvantageous. It can help a patient in numerous ways: it can stop suffering and cause an impending death to come sooner and thus save a lot of heartache and pain. Just barely lingering on the border of life and death one should be able make a decision to slide into eternity with dignity, without pain, with their loved ones present. As sad as it is, we should not force people to live in misery. It is also a fact that there are many diseases out there that can cause a patient excruciating amount of pain. For instance, blood cancer can include symptoms such as bone fractures, repeated infections, and persisting bruises. If a patient tries every possible way to fight a disease but hits a dead end, it will simply be better to meet death in a dignified manner than die in a hospital bed not recognizing the person you've withered away to. Life is hard to live with any sort of terminal illness, in many cases death may be the better answer"

"After having read many of the comments, I decided it would be in everyone's best interest were I to add the following paragraph. There is no doubt in my mind, some of you have no idea of the meaning of one or both of these two terms, making discussion of the issue nearly impossible, so here they are. The words "euthanasia" and "assisted suicide" are often used interchangeably. However, they are different and, in the law, they are treated differently. In this report, "euthanasia" is defined as intentionally, knowingly and directly acting to cause the death of another person (e.g., giving a lethal injection). "Assisted suicide" is defined as intentionally, knowingly and directly providing the means of death to another person so that the person can use that means to commit suicide (e.g., providing a prescription for a lethal dose of drugs). I sure hope this helps some of you to better understand what is being discussed here."

"Why should a person suffer with a terminal illness or suffer extreme pain whith no quality of life having to depend on others for help. When you know deep down inside you'd rather be some were else. And you know its true. But we have to stick around and suffer cause of your opinion? And don't even try and say as I have heard so many times "I know how you feel". Do realize what your are saying. Trust me step in my shoes just for just one minute and I guarantee you will be begging for a bullet. All so you can feel better about your self. How selfish. So you can sleep better. Look im a Christian my self. And yes I have been a student of the Bible. Was thinking on being a pastor and all. Then bam! Your whole life changes in an instant. And by the way their is no scripture on suicide. Murder is to kill another. To lie and wait. Even crimes of passion are not considered murder. Its called man slaughter cause you are not in your right mind when you comment the act. Or it was unintentional. Our Father will sort them out. But their is not one verse on one ending one's life period. Even in Bible times their was mercy on the battle field. And if you can find scripture then how did I miss it for over 20yrs of study. And not milk but strong meat"

"I'm pro because a person should, if in severe pain or illness, have the choice to say 'I want to die,' and have that happen. For them, it seems that living would be a much much worse situation presented to them. Why would you want to live if you were already dying? If every day was filled with pain and hurt and the knowing that you will die, but not knowing when? Why should any human being have to suffer through such a terrible life?"

"The only reason most people deny this is due to religious purposes. Some people do not believe in a religion. Or, they feel they are ready to go now. It hurts to have a loved one leave, but it hurts more to see a loved one suffer with agonizing pain when they can receive a quick and painless death. They can say their farewells, something most people cannot do."

"It is not up to the people who are not suffering from an incurable illness, to choose for those who are suffering, whether they can choose to live or die. It should be the patient's choice; it's their body and their mind and their choice. This isn't a selfish thing to do; deciding to end your life peacefully with your family knowing you died in peace, is better than having them watch you suffer in pain for months or years."

"If Euthanasia is the voluntary taking of one's own life due to circumstances in which recovery is near impossible, then why should it be denied? As long as people aren't dying without the consent of either themselves, their families, or their related people, I support the application of euthanasia in a hospital."

"I' a rather strong believer in personal autonomy, and the fact that if a person wishes for something to be done to himself that will have no harm on another, then he should have the right to do that."

"Would you rather have your loved one suffer right in front of you? I wouldn't, because I now from experience, for 10 years out of my 13 year life I watched my younger cousin (by a month) suffer and die on April 1 2014. Is it fair that we do this to our animal a companions but not out loved one ?"

"People should not need to suffer through pain needlessly because someone else's religion is against that. Someone should be able to make the choice to end their life because it is their choice, and no one else's. They should be able to legally get help from a professional to make this choice after serious consideration."

"We live in the United States of America are we not inclined to our natural rights and by at least my standards of life we have that natural right to death tho be it though a injection or through natural causes anthropologically speaking it makes sense for us to be able to do this in the medieval times if you carried the Plague most doctors at the time would suggest that the carrier was beheaded so the person felt no pain from the illness This may be barbaric how has times changed in the past 2 to 3 hundred years"

"Yes. People should not be treated with less love and caring than dogs. There is no moral or spiritual virtue in extending suffering and prolonging agonizing life. The choice should be in the patient/individual in consultation with physician or others with whom the patient/individual chooses to consult. Dr. Kevorkian was a humanist and leader."

"I watched my mother die of Alzheimers over about 10 years. At first it wasn't bad, although she was terrified and angry about what was happening to her. Her later years were horrible. Many times she commented that she would like to die before she lost herself completely, but did not have the chance. If I am ever in the same situation I hope that I have the ability to choose a more dignified death and not have to go through the humiliation and indignity, and that my children don't have to watch me die in such a horrifying manner."

"I have the right to end my life if I am terminally ill. I have right to choose how much suffering I am willing to endure. I believe I am a spiritual being having a human experience. When time is I can no longer live dignified because of my illness. Then it is my right to choose when life is to end, lest I suffer the death process by disease."

"Yes.....too much needless suffering. If you are terminal, with a known decease, no cure....then it should be your decision to terminate your life. Long term suffering is horrific for the patient and family. The cost to prolong life in terminally ill patients is a burden on the system, a waste."

"Im pro because its their life that they are taking so why would it be your choice on whether or not they can do it.People that ask a physician for assisted suicide or more than likely tired of the pain and suffering that comes from medical conditions like cancer.They believe that if they are going to do then it should be on their own terms.You are not in their shoes and don't understood the reason why they would want to do it."

"Thank you so much! This column was amazing and very helpful! I never knew that there were so many people out there who have asked for and experienced death with dignity, or that have witnessed another's life-ending decision/procedure. I strongly support the physician-assisted death act myself, although I am not diagnosed with any sort of severe medical condition or disease. I feel that it is up to the patient to ask for their own death, when suffering from unbearable pain, medicinal side effects or other medical symptoms. They should not, by all means, have to be forced into treatment against their own will, nor be unnecessarily kept alive while living their life in fear of an uncontrollable, horrific death. I admire Brittany Maynard's bravery and acceptance of her choices. I think that everyone should be able to have this choice, no matter their race, status, or ethnicity -- death with dignity is not a privilege, it's a human right!"

"Yes. I believe in Euthanasia. You have the right to live. The right to love. The right to work. Why don't we have the right to die? Surely you should choose how and when you wish to end your life, especially if you face dementia or terminal illness. It is morally wrong to force someone to suffer before they die (over half of terminally ill people die in pain) so that they can wait until the right day."

"There comes a time when the quality of life is no longer apparent due to age, injury or a combination of both. My grandmother told me four years before her natural death that she wanted to die. He life was complete and she was now in extreme discomfort and disabled. In her last four years thousands of dollars were spend basically keeping her alive with no improvement in the quality of her life and she repeated many times that she wanted to die. What's wrong with that? She was not delusional or mentally distressed. With little options to find peace how is it right in our society to require people to stay alive when they truly want to pass on? And without having to shoot themselves if they are capable. For those of you that are against this I understand and that is your business. Stay out of my business it should not concern you. Live your life as you wish, that is your right. The truth is we are all going to eventually die why fear it? Grandma should have been allowed to celebrate her life with her family, say her good byes have one last cocktail (instead of a bullet) and pass on peacefully."

"I believe it should be legal because if they're suffering daily or have lost their ability to think, why make them continue to suffer? My own family has told me that if they suffer an injury rendering them unable to think for themselves ("that makes them a vegetable") to pull the plug. I've also had a family member die from cancer in the blood combined with a brain tumor. He suffered terrible pain up until the moment he died. To keep someone alive that does not want to suffer anymore is selfish. You're keeping them more for you than you are helping them to deal with their final days."

"In response to "but you don't know if the cure is just tomorrow,you don't know if one day someone euthanizes another and the next morning they make a cure,no matter how hurt a person is no matter how far gone, would you take that risk?", hope is a beautiful thing, and as a beliver, it is always an option, but you have to think through this case by case. The person is hurting, dying, and probably well past burnt-out. They have no hope, and in most cases, there is a point where you will lose everything that ever gave a sense of grounding. Even in faith, even with the risk, there's going to be a heavily weighted decision. If someone decides that it is time to go, you don't know what they are feeling. It's a person's own choice in life."

"I watched and heard my father beg for the opportunity to end his suffering. Instead of being able to provide him with a way out of the pain of bone and lung cancer, I had to tell him there was nothing more that could be done and watch him go downhill and live out the last month of his life in constant horrible pain which prescription pain pills and IV's couldn't touch. We MUST provide this CHOICE when patients are struggling with terminal illnesses which have no cure. They must be able to CHOOSE just has they have the ability to CHOOSE not to continue treatment. Why should we say people can make one CHOICE but not the other?"

"My dad was a sufferer of Mictuacionald Bodfig 3 which is a really really rare disease. This affects everything. Just him twitching hurts and he twitches from the pain. He can't eat, sleep, or drink. He literally can't do anything without extreme excrutiating pain. He once told me,"I would do anything to end my life right now." Three days later, he was found dead with a gun in his hand. Though I have no idea how, he got a gun and killed himself. I cried myself to sleep everyday, just thinking about all the pain and suffering he was going through. If only Euthanasia was legalized, none of this would have happened and he could have a peaceful death. Euthanasia should be allowed."

"If you don't believe in euthanasia than you also cannot believe in surgery or chemotherapy etc. You can't claim to be againest using medical technology to alter the length of a life if you are alright with extending a persons life with medicine. You can't have it both ways."

"I believe that Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide should be legal because if someone is suffering intensely and nothing can be further done to help the situation, then what is the point of living? Although I do think there should be heavy restrictions to how and why the patient would be able to use it.. It is their right to decide how their life should end.."

"I believe that it is contradictory for a society that practices capital punishment to prohibit suicide. If someone is terminally ill, or suffering from a permanent condition that will put them in an undignified state of living, who are we to prevent them from ending their suffering??"

"Euthanasia is, by definition, when (A) one person takes the life of another with intent, (B) the person killed benefits in some way from being killed, and (C) the assisted suicide is performed in the gentlest way possible, and (D) the killer performs the action out of kindness and mercy, not self-gain.Therefore, I support euthanasia, but not involuntary euthanasia, because killing without consent of the victim, even if it may be for their own good, is considered murder and often only for the killer's gain. I do, however, support both active and passive euthanasia, but I believe that active euthanasia should only be performed by official doctors and not family or friend."

"Definition of Murder:The unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another.Definition of Premeditation:think out or plan (an action, especially a crime) beforehand.Definition of Euthanasia:the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma. The practice is illegal in most countries.

Euthanasia is only murder if done ILLEGALLY and planned by ANOTHER PERSON before hand.

Suicide Definition:the act or an instance of taking one's own life voluntarily and intentionally especially by a person of years of discretion and of sound mind. ^^^^^ SOUND MIND"

"I am a college student age 47. My policy analysis team choose end of life choice as our topic to research. In my very limited understanding to date, I understand some individuals believe they would not choose to ingest a lethal dose of medication to end their life before they reached a state of complete loss of autonomy. However, I do not understand why they think they have the right to make that choice for anyone else. Women have the right to choose what to do with their bodies when they are pregnant, why don't terminally ill, mentally competent adults have the choice to die with dignity? The numbers in Oregon show us that choosing to ingest a lethal does of medication is not something one does lightly. Nearly one third of the prescriptions written are not used, and the number of prescription written compared tot he number of terminally ill cancer patients is really minuscule. Most people don't want to die, given the choice, but if they are going to die a painful slow death, they should be given the choice to do it their way. Nobody should get to choose for them. They are already experiencing a lack of control because of their illness. They should be given the power to choose when and how they die."

"I currently am teetering in between yes and no, but I personally would not use this for myself, but if others wish it for them, then so be it. It is your life and you should be able to live it or end it when you want."

"Many families cannot afford to keep their family member on things like life support. Euthanasia allows for the patient to pass happily and painlessly apposed to dying painfully and miserably at the hands of whatever illness they are suffering from. It is a matter of personal choice and is not decided by the doctors."

"Well I don't really know that much about the subject of euthanasia, however from what I do know about it it's up to the person getting euthanized. I mean others have no idea what pain they could be in, so if they really want to be euthanized it's their decision. Some people could be in so much pain that they don't want to live. But if the person does not want to be euthanized I believe they should not be euthanized against their will, like I said it's really The person who is getting euthanized choice. This is just my opinion on the matter so please don't hate me if you disagree."

"Right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Do we not have the right to death as well?

If I were suffering, counting down the minutes to my death like I were a bomb, I'd appreciate a choice. I might not even consider acting upon it, but just the very thought of having a choice would be comforting.We all should have the right to choose, especially in such a desperate situation.

"We are not talking about stressed life Madison, For instance, I am 75 years old. I have end stage leukemia, I will die a painful death. Most likly from Pneumonia, or Septis which is a blood infection. I saw my dad go through it and it is not nice. You sound as though you may be young and have never had to bear much pain."

"yes because look at it this way if you were living your everyday life with a shortage of breath a head that would never stop pounding and be terminally ill. And you have a choice so it is not being pressured on you weather you want to do it or not. So its all your decision. And anyway you would feel more comfortable knowing that you can die on your command and not just wake up one morning not knowing how to breath or even not wake up at all. All you people who think this is bad Seriously need to do your research because you have no idea what you are talking about"

"I think voluntary euthanasia should be legal because I believe that we should be able to decide what to do with our bodies. We should have the right to end our lives before we have to suffer for long months without any cure or without any hope that we will live. Even as a Christian I believe that Euthanasia is Gods will and His way of getting someone back home to Him in Heaven."

"Yes euthanasia should be legalised for all. Whether you suffer from any illness or not, as long as you voluntarily want to stop existing, it should be the governments duty to help you achieve that painlessly. Millions attempt suicide and end up injuring themselves and making there state of existence worse, but if euthanasia was provided for them without any self righteous moral dictators forcing people to live when they don't want to, many people would be spared a lot of pain, both physical and emotional. Withholding someone from there right to death is same as murdering one who wants to exist. Maybe even worse. It is injustice and turture to require someone to function in a world he has no desire to function in. This is not a post from a depressed or sick or poor individual.I simple speak for the liberty and rational freedom of humans who desire not to exist.No one should force others to exist because they believe God said we shouldn't end our life if we want. Maybe there own God says opposite and yours shouldn't be the only one listened to.Every pleasure is permissible as long as it does not violate another individuals right.In this case,not legalising euthanasia is an illicit pleasure of one imposing there believe on another."

"I am almost 75, have been having seizures for 10 yrs and had a minor stroke a year ago. If I should suffer a major stroke that leaves me unable to think clearly or care for myself I feel that I have the right to exercise free choice and end my life."

"It's my life and I should be able to make a decision like this. I don't want to suffer in horrible pain. Why would anyone want someone to suffer? I don't want my estate (what little I have) to go to some medical provider (hospital) to take care of me while I suffer."

"It's my body and I can do whatever I wish with it. Including adding euthanasia to my living will in case I am in a horrible medical situation where I cannot make the decision for myself. suicide is not illegal and euthanasia should not be illegal either. If other people want to suffer, that's their right//// don't force others to suffer who don't wish to lie being tortured in a hell on earth."

"If somebody wants to take the easy way out, I don't see a problem with that. The religious beliefs and the prejudices of the doctor should not factor in either somebody wants to relieve their suffering from a wasting aliment."

"I have seen so many of my close relatives die horrible deaths - I truly believe humane euthanasia should be legalized in the United States! Hospice has it's benefits, but I work at an animal clinic and we treat the animals better than we do humans!"

"Absolutely! When someone is tired of life, as am I, one should be able to go to a local hospital, sign the necessary waivers, be administered an anesthetic as for a surgery followed by a life ending drug - Without the interference of religious zealots or the government."

"Well stated, I completely agree. Also I would like to see the euthanasia (anesthesia and life ending drug) option included in living wills alongside "starve to death" and "be dehydrated to death" which are both already legal."

"World Health Organization defines Quality of Life asindividuals perception of their position in lifein the context of the culture and value systemsin which they live and in relation to theirgoals, expectations, standards and concerns. It is a broad ranging concept affected in acomplex way by the person's physical health,psychological state, level of independence,social relationships, personal beliefs and theirrelationship to salient features of theirenvironment."

"My great-grandmother has been bedridden for about 3 years. She can barely communicate with others and is basically in a "vegetative state". She is in so much pain and doctors cannot find a cause to why her health is deteriorating. She has painful boils all over her body, and her immune system is deteriorating. She lays in bed all day in intense pain, and has been like this for years. Its so difficult for her to live like this another day, and her biggest fear is waking up the next morning alive. She should be able to choose if she wants to pass away, instead of lining in constant pain."

"Euthanasia should be legalized. Who are we to tell someone that they cannot die when they are suffering? Imagine you only had a few months to live due to a terminal illness and your pain creates an unbearable existence. You might want the right to die without suffering. You would not deny yourself that right, so don't deny others that right."

"I support Death with Dignity, because it allows each individual to choose when and how to end their lives. As well as the opportunity to say good bye and be mentally able to understand and come to terms with death. Versus not knowing when you will die and how much pain you will have to endure to get to your last breath. I have had three loves ones die from terminally ill disease and I believe if they had any other choice they might have chosen to end their lives with dignity rather then be in pain or left to die stricken to a bed."

"which would you prefer a dead person that has gone splat from jumping off a building and police think that it's a crime? or assisted suicide where they can lay in a bed be conferrable and die in peace and still have a body for a funeral"

"I agree with a lot of the mentality of the pros. It is YOUR life, and as such, if you feel the need to end it, for whatever reason you should. This has nothing to do with "god" as the antis put it. There is more to it than that. I am sure this "god, that you claim gave you life. (We all know it was sex acts without protection that did it, only some believe something else to lessen the reality of it.) The truth of the matter is, it is your life, and if you are suffering from a debilitating illness, and/or severe depression and want to end your life, since people are allowed freedom of choice, shouldn't that include ending life with dignity? As far as diseases go, we know when it is our time, and if it is our time, we need to go, regardless of belief or not. Besides, it lessens the trauma of finding our loved ones somewhere dead, and having that haunting us. It is better that we have the right to end our lives. Please, antis, come up with better arguments than the "god" angle, since it is monotonous, and repetitive. If there were cures, they would've happened already for people, but they didn't. Why? Maybe because of some bizarre reason, or because life is sadistic. The point is we have the right to end our lives if we so choose."

"Yes, if you were in a hospital dying slowly and painfully, would you really want to have to suffer through all of that? Its like being hit by a truck that was going at 70 miles per hour. If you were hit at that rate then you would be dead or almost dead. Being rushed into a hospital only to suffer through terrible pain before dying in the hospital. If you were just put through Assisted Suicide all the pain and suffering would be over in seconds."

"I believe Euthanasia should be legal, but only for terminally ill people. Yes, I may be young and influence-filled but I do have my own opinion on this. It should only be for people of the age of 18+ for own choice. If once is under 18 the parents decide on whether the child wants to or not. But only if the child agrees."

"Yes! My grandmother is 96 3/4 years old. She has just been admitted to a nursing home and in great pain. How is it we can put a dog down they are in pain, yet we need to sit by and watch our elders suffer?"

"Euthanasia should be legal, as having someone suffer for weeks without any alternative is just plain cruel. If someone truly wishes such a penalty on themselves to escape the pain of the present, who am I to deny them that right? For most patients, their only choice other than euthanasia is death after a week or 2 in pain. They don't have a chance to get better. Things aren't going to better, so ending it now is better for the family members, who don't want to watch a loved one in constant agony for a week, followed by a slow death."

"A woman can decide over the life within here whether to end it or not. That's deciding on ANOTHER life, not your own. If this is legal, why can't we decide on our OWN life under certain circumstances!"

"People should have the right to say I am done here on this earth. Why would any person that loves and cares for his family want to put them through the pain of watching them melt away to nothing but skin and bones. When the human body is riddle with disease or even mental illness where they don't even no how to use the bathroom or take a shower brush there teeth. This is a law that needs to change people who are healthy today don't ever want to burden there children of tomorrow with there illness. Each person should draw up a letter today by an attorney to state there wishes. Let the court argue they weren't of sound mind 20yrs ago when it was drafted. Plan for the future and pray it never has to be used. God Bless those who live and work with the dying everyday. Thank you for your service."

"Everyone should have the right to end their OWN life with a peaceful, painless method, when they choose. See Exit International.. This has nothing to do with killing others, simply finding relief for yourself."

"I live in a retirement community of 600 people. We usually lose about one or two people a week. I see people who just lay there. They can't eat by themselves, go to the bathroom, can't get dressed, etc. They just lay there. THAT IS NOT LIVING."

"i believe that euthanasia should be legalized and be permitted whoever needs it. such as terminal illness that cannot be reversible. At the end of the day its your life and you will put families into sadness or worse depression but they need to understand the position of the sufferer and that's what i have to say thank you for reading my concern."

"I believe so because the ability to have control of your own life should be a natural right that no one can take away. Your life is yours and decides how you want to have it. the laws of everything including this are mainly religious. This is one of the things that are frowned upon in the bible. The human themselves should be able to control themselves instead of being told when to die because of no real reason. suicide is a choice and if they want it for a good reason then they should be able to have it. if they are going to die anyway then the family will have no different affect either way. They have an opportunity to plan ahead, give goodbyes, update the will, and make sure everything is right when they leave."

"I am pro euthanasia because human beings have a right to life, but do they have a right to death. The main argument I have seen against euthanasia is that it affects a doctor's oath and is borderline on murder. So, people care more about the doctor than the actual suffering patient. That is like not wanting to put your pet down because you feel bad about it. A person shouldn't have to suffer with an untreatable illness. It should be an option given to the patient if there is no hope for them and they still have the ability to make the decision on their own."

"I think Euthanasia or Physician-Assisted Suiced should be legal. I think this because government officials cannot fathom the amount of pain some patients go through, and to tell them that the patient is not allowed to stop the pain is beyond me. All states should allow this to be legal because it is not a decision they are making, it is a decision the patient is making."

"Assisted suicide is a peaceful way to die. You will no longer be in extreme pain, and it is an act of defiance against your disease. You are saying, "No, I will not let my disease kill me". You can wrap up your life, say goodbye, and live your life to the fullest before your death date. You should have the right to die in your home in your home state."

"I believe everyone has their own right on what they want to do with their lives and bodies especially if they are enduring something that affects their life negatively. Murder is illegal, is suicide illegal then? People say that Euthanization is cruel but forcing someone to live a painful is even crueler, If someone chooses to pass on peacefully i say let them. They'll be in a far better than on earth with ignorant people."

"if you believe you are suffering too much to be able to live, you should able to die before you have no option. Peoples families can keep them on life support for months and they have no choice. if you feel that you have fulfilled your life, that you are very ill, and that is your time, you should be able to choose."

"I believe everyone as a humman being has the basic right to choose live or die, when extreme suffering is falling on an individual, who can say that I do not give you the right to deliver your soul from endless anguish of this physical body?"

"Most definitely pro euthanasia! We protect our pets from undue suffering at the end of their lives, and I firmly believe that we should allow humans the same relief if they are in pain and unable to control bodily functions. Not only is the patient miserable, it's sheer hell to watch someone you care for suffer."

"I am a RN with palliative care and Hosparus experience. Very simply, dying is part of living. The term "suicide" describes a depressed person. A terminally ill person should have the right to decide when the suffering and loss of dignity have become too great. We were not meant to live as long as we do now---medicine & doctors playing god have gotten in the way of the natural order. Plus, we as a society are making our elderly with chronic pain suffer even more with our ever increasing restrictions on pain control. As a society, we are more compassionate to our pets than we are to each other."

"I support this because I know way too many people who have been in so much pain at the end of their life. I think it is selfish of the family to force their loved ones to continue to live with this pain."

"As a doctor, I have seen tooo many persons reach the point that total dependency is their life now. Families have lost all that the person spent years working for go up in care and NH fee when the pt had voiced for years he/she would not want that. We offer more compassion to our pets than to humans. It takes more than a heart beat to be "alive". THERE IS NO DIGNITY IN HAVING TO HAVE SOMEONE WIPE YOUR ASS, FEED YOU, ETC.AND YOU NOT EVEN AWARE."

"If euthanasia became legal it would be an option to terminally ill people in tremendous pain, no one you don't have to participate in it if you are against it. Also, who are we to force someone to stay a live against their will when they are in pain?"

"People just don't want it legal because of the guilt that comes with knowing you've ended a life. If someone is suffering, do you really think they want to die of natural causes? Would they want to spend their last days in unbearable pain instead of being around loved ones? Euthanasia has been used on pets for years because we hate to see them suffer, and humans are no different."

"i am unhappy that the state regulates all of our activities. i would like the privilege of dying a happy and peaceful deathwith my family and friends in attendance, without drugs to put me out of my mind ( and pain). i prefer to go before the pain begins and when i've simply had enough. i want to control my own body. after abortion is legal..."

"Because only I have the right to say if I live or die. It is definitely dignity related but also financial. Why should I be kept alive only to incur hundreds of thousands of dollars in bills? Why? Because the doctors and hospitals need to pay their exorbatant insurance bills and build new wings onto their buildings! It is completely profit driven rhetoric to argue the con side of this!"

"As a person suffering too much too long and getting worse with IBS it needs to be legal as an option because they do not know enough about certain diseases like mine and anyone else that says otherwise I wish you to be in my shoes, legalize it everywhere."

"People do not know what is inflicted pain. It is a pain that will ever go away. Sometimes, you just don't want to see a loved one suffer, because it is heart-breaking. So I want Assisted suicide to be legalized"

CON (no) Comments (100)

"In my opinion, if the patient wants to end their life because of euthanasia, then so be it, but it is illegal to end one's another life. I understand that the patient is suffering, but it is the law. In addition to that, the patient should die on it's own, but if it is a doctor or scientist, then maybe it is fine if it is their decision. On the other hand, if it is a family member that is suggesting to cut the patient's life, then it should not count...It is illegal and should always be illegal."

"I think you have misunderstood you don't "end your life because of Euthanasia" you end it by Euthanasia, it is not a disease. Euthanasia is the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma. That said 90 % of the time euthanasia is a personal choice I just question the rational choices made by a person in pain. So no I do not support unregulated euthanasia."

"I strongly agree with your opinion. I am currently doing a research paper for my 9th grade English class, and I was told to find some opinions from regular people and I disagree with the whole idea of euthanasia. I like your thinking. :)"

"It should be illegal for multiple reasons, and one of those reasons is that it is considered murder if one kills another, even if one has Euthanasia. In addition to that thought, the victim with Euthanasia should not be disturbed and die in peace. Summing up what I just said in those few sentences, it should be illegal that people with Euthanasia should be killed and to live in peace........................"

"I think you have misunderstood you cannot "have Euthanasia" it is not a disease. Euthanasia is the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma. I am only partially in support of the practice and think that it should not be legal but government should play a hands off approach and leave it to the doctors and patients to decide to end all efforts to keep a person alive."

"I'm not certain I got all of what you wanted to convey, but I certainly understand you are against aiding a suffering human being by helping them to end their tormented state and rest in peace, as they wish. We shoot horses, don't we? Well, then we should offer humans the same option. I think to consider this act of assistance murder is taking the meaning of the word murder and broadening it way too much. Whether or not the act of assisted suicide for those assisting may or may not be illegal, depending on what state it occurs in, even in those states where it is illegal, it should not be classified as murder. I think you are way off base with that definition."

"Euthanasia is something that is very dangerous and should not be messed around with. In addition, Euthanasia should be handled by experts such as doctors or scientists. The patient usually does not make it out alive. In conclusion, it should be illegal since if the patient wants to end the life early, it is illegal to end one an others life...."

"The purpose of this IS to kill ones self. the ending of a life is what they want to do. They should be allowed to take control of their own time if they suffer terribly. Pain for 7 years with every breath even if your going to die anyways is not an acceptable way to help people. Hospitals would make more money anyway by doing this because they don't need to spend money on medical instruments and medicine they don't need. there is no good in any way for letting suffer go on."

"Of course euthanasia is dangerous, that is the whole point. It should most definitely be legal! If the patient is obviously suffering and will die no matter what, they should be allowed to say whether or not they live. It should be illegal to let someone suffer without relief (death). There is a fine line between murder and euthanasia. If someone who is suffering from a terminal illness and has to be fed through a feeding tube, they should be allowed to decide whether or not they want to live the rest of their life in misery and pain."

"I agree because euthanasia is very dangerous and if the scientists say it is fine, then it is fine, but they will not because it is illegal. In that case, it almost makes no sense to end the patients life."

"No because the doctors should have their patients with Euthanasia should just leave them alone and let them die by themselves. In addition, they should be left alone and taken care by the doctors and maybe scientists (who are experts) and no one else should help if they have no idea what to do or how to do it. More evidence that it should not be legal is it is considered murder if one kills another. Evidence that proves this is if the patient is killed with anything, then the person who 'killed' the patient get arrested since it should be illegal, and if the patient dies alone by the Euthanasia, then it is not considered murder if the virus killed her. Because of the virus killing her, it is legal that the patient dies. In conclusion, killing one another should be illegal if one has Euthanasia."

"Again You can't "have Euthanasia" you can request it. Euthanasia is medically assisted death to end your pain or suffering. I don't support it but understand it, because I think if you are in pain you are not rational enough to make such a choice."

"I am against this because my grandmother was given 3yrs to live when my mother was a senior in high school she had cancer. My grandmother lived 30yrs after the doctors told her she wouldn't. I feel nobody even the doctors know if the disease will kill someone in 1yr or 20yrs. If a patient wants to refuse treatment that is their right but a Dr should never help somebody kill themselves."

"it is also their right to die if they are suffering. if they are told they will die withing this amount of time then ok. but if they suffer badly through out that amount of time and continue to after the time is up they can ask to "End the suffering""

"Doctors do know when a patient is going to die due to cancer. My grandmother had ovarian cancer, doctors said three years for her. She went on hospice care, they said she would live six months. She lived exactly six months after hospice care."

"No, even if a person wants to die it doesn't make it the right choice. Some doctor don't feel comfortable doing it, I know of some cases where doctors were sued for refusing, but that is just a stupid way to get what they want."

"I most certainly agree with you and your argument. When you murder someone that you don't actually want to kill, but you do it, you feel guilty and uncomfortable. In addition, no one should get that close to some one with euthanasia. Also, if the patient wants to die badly, give them as much time in life as they can. Anything living only has one chance to live and to survive, not to end up dead for just a bacteria that should not have ended up with some, anyone. Once again, I most certainly agree with your point, great thinking!"

""I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody who asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect."-Hippocratic Oath. Euthanasia can become a means of health care cost containment. In the end, euthanasia may be put as a considerably high option from the physicians. Euthanasia is supposed to be voluntary from the patient. But when the patient keeps in mind about the cost that will be saved if they take their life, and how it could help others, would it still not be bias? Euthanasia can lead to suicide contagion. When it is legalized for one to end his/her own life, then society is getting the message that suicide is an answer to life's problems. Euthanasia is not just harsh on the family who has to suffer through the loss. The physician also has a cause in the death, and may be affected as well. Patients who believe euthanasia is the correct choice have every right to do that. However, what if they took a step back and looked at the whole picture. No one's life is being saved- life is only taken. I would say I am mostly Con, but slightly Pro as well. I understand where people are coming from, watching a family member die in front of them is definitely not a nice sight. However, they should contact their family before."

"Everyone should have the right to put the option for euthanasia in their living will... or not. That way you can choose for yourself. No matter what we believe, we shouldn't step on the rights of others. Sometimes when doctors keep people alive, they are doing harm. Maybe God wants them to die but man is stepping in the way. Place the person in the woods and if God wants them to live, they will. I see some preserving of life as torture. That's why we put down animals sometimes... it's the right thing to do. I liked your balanced comment, I have had two severe brain injuries and watched 2 grandparents die with Alzheimer's over the course of a decade... so I am biased. But I think my experiences have given me a more clear view of why euthanasia is so important."

"My understanding is based on an eternal perspective- I believe that this life is not the end. This life is a critical gift from God given to us as an opportunity to experience joy and sorrow, to learn and to grow. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." Religious beliefs aside, we don't know how strong we are. Humans are amazing! We grow through struggle, and there is hope that it will eventually resolve. I believe that assisted suicide is wrong because it desensitizes us to the miracle of life and advocates the belief that adversity can't be overcome."

"Life is not ours to take, we didn't create ourselves. Life is hard and death maybe even harder but that is a part of life. Even in suffering there are lessons along the way, the problem with us as people is we don't want to go through anything too hard. We don't truly understand the purpose of suffering, we want everything to be sunshine and roses and that is not reality. Death is supposed to be transitional not intentional and to me it is no different than committing murder. Life is precious and no one ever said death was supposed to be sweet or pretty. There is purpose in death and sometimes it causes those who love the one suffering a new outlook on life, it may be to help them to change the way they live or to draw distant family members together. Yes you can argue these same things can happen even with euthanasia but it is a difference the two are not the same. We are not in control and if we would soon understand this the better the world would be."

"My understanding is based on an eternal perspective- I believe that this life is not the end. This life is a critical gift from God given to us as an opportunity to experience joy and sorrow, to learn and to grow. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." Religious beliefs aside, we don't know how strong we are. Humans are amazing! We grow through struggle, and there is hope that it will eventually resolve. I believe that assisted suicide is wrong because it desensitizes us to the miracle of life and advocates the belief that adversity can't be overcome."

"We don't have the rights to end a life and we shouldn't have that right at all. Everyone has their own time to die, wait for your own time to come because you never know, things could change from bad to good in a matter of seconds."

"I personally think that Euthanasia or Physician Assisted Suicide should not be legalized because I believe that everything that lives has value. I believe life is very hard, but you have to respect and care for it, which is what we should be doing in this situation. I am not a religious person, but i do believe we are all here for a reason, I believe that we have to trust that we are here for a reason. Euthanasia or Physician Assisted Suicide is wrong and walks away from the "Hippocratic Oath" that every medical professional takes, I don't think that the government and corporate administrators should be responsible for deciding who dies just to save money. I understand that people who are terminally ill have their reasons they don't want to live and I am very sad for all of them, and I can never fully understand unless I was going through it as well, but life is worth living no matter what. Life is very hard not just our life but all life that's why all life has value and worth."

"its basically murder which is illegal so should euthanasia if a doctor is aloud to murder legally then there should not be such harsh punishments for people who are not doctors. its just some flat out bullcrap that i'm not putting up with any more"

"It is a moral duty to attempt to prevent suicide in general; euthanasia too. If someone is threatening to kill themselves it is your moral duty to try to stop them. You would not, for example, simply ignore a man standing on a ledge and threatening to jump simply because it is his or her choice; and you would definitely not assist in his suicide by pushing him. In the same way, you should try to help a person with a terminal illness, not help them to die."

"Austin Scott is wrong, there is a difference in putting down a dog and putting down a human. doctors take oaths to never kill a human while they are in office. euthanasia is the killing and taking of a valubale life. what if a cure is found after they died that could have cured him and stopped the pain and stopped him from dying. then what? you have killed a good human with a cure that could have saved them."

"What about the thousands, if not millions of people that died of a disease before the cure was found? Just because a cure wasn't found while someone was suffering does not mean that doctors should keep a patient in a torturous state while a cure is being formed. It takes years for cures to be made, and for some diseases it only takes days for the disease to kill someone. Maybe if the cure was in it's final weeks or months of refining and release should doctors attempt to prolong a patient's life, but if the cure would not be available and the patient is experiencing horrible pain, it would be unjust and unmerciful to let the sickness eat away at a number of helpless patients."

"All life is precious. Every second of it. Who's to say when you're supposed to go and how long you can say? No one. If you cut short life just because you can't "do it anymore" its just quitting. If we gave up on everything like that we would never do anything. And then what would be the point of living at all. Depression happens to people who are considering suicide. Whether it be a thought out plan or a spur of the moment idea. I have seen many people who are ready to give up and die and that to me is a part of depression,making everything pointless. People who bring up the idea of assisted suicide are asking a person who gave an oath to do no harm, to do the biggest harm imaginable, death."

"God gives lif ,god takes life all other attest to become god ,has never worked. I do believe that through prayer if you convince god you can,t take it anymore he will take it from you. Otherwise people will deside you want to die and try and do gods job for him. Example those tired of taking care of others . Trying to get people off life support because the costs are dwindling thier future inheritance"

""In my opinion, it is none of my concern wither or not someone want to kill themselves. It is still wrong no matter what God put us here on this Earth to live our lives, he doesn't want us to just throw that away because we have depression. Everyone has depression but smart people know its wrong to end there life. It is also wrong because doctors are suppose to help save people not assist them or help them in suicide. Euthanasia is not a compassionate death like some people would say it is. It needs to stay illegal it has no right in becoming legal it is wrong no matter what you do about it. You have a family to live for and think about how much pain you can cause someone that you love just by having assisted suicide it would cause them a great deal of pain possibly as much pain as you had when you where living""

"But the actual modern Hippocratic Oath states: "If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty." To me, that is saying they can assist them if they deem it to be in the best interest of the patient. Any state that has legalized it has not legalized it for depression and is only legal under regulated circumstances such as incurable disease, only having 6 months or left to live and in intense and intolerable pain. As for causing pain to the family, how much pain are you causing your family to see you suffering so bad and not be able to do anything about it? But if it was their choice to die, how much more peaceful of a death could they have with their family supporting them and being there rather than finding a way to do it on their own and alone."

"I do not believe that assisted suicide should be legal. The fact that it is even a question I do not know. If someone had a gun and told you to kill them with it because they were going to die anyway would you do it? Just because it is a medicine that will kill someone slower doesn't mean it should be allowed. This will only encourage suicide to keep happening and among sick people make them believe that they will suffer if they do not do assisted suicide. Assisted suicide is killing another person no matter how you look at it."

"Understandably there are some patients who are suffering and dying. With out euthanasia these people would not have a reason or a true way to give up their life. They could continue their fight to surviving. Doctors who kill patients without their consent is completely against all human rights. Also killing those who are born with a disability or those who can not be taught is wrong. Everyone has a right at life, which is why we are put here on Earth.. But physicians who talk and attempt the killing of people with disorders is wrong and against the bible. I am Con-Euthanasia but I am also Pro-Euthanasia.I have read many stories that broke my heart.this should not last any longer. Thank you for reading and I hope you feel the same as I do.""

"If doctors include 'ending a patient's life' as one of their "medical" options, many will move that direction quickly rather than working hard to treat suffering. Insurance companies have been eerily silent throughout this entire process. They stand to benefit handsomely as more opt for PAS. If we insist on legalizing PAS, we might consider a new career option, one where technicians wear black coats. We can train them to end life with pills or injections in about one week. But more effective than pills or even injections, anyone wanting to end their life should simply go to the garage, sit a car with the windows rolled down and turn on the engine. If a family member wants to be with them when they die, wear a respirator. Death is 100% guaranteed in about 15 minutes, sans any complications. PAS isn't about allowing people to end their lives. They can do that already. PAS is really about sanitizing or glorifying the ending of a life by putting a doctor's stamp of approval on it, making the patient feel better about their choice. "My doctor told me that this is my right and s/he agrees with my choice to end my life." Doctors should not want any part of the ending of a life. They train long and hard to heal, not kill their patients."

"But per the Hippocratic Oath, they already are given that medical option: "If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty.""

""In 1984, while working as charge nurse in the intensive care unit, a 20-year-old man asked me, "Can you give my mother enough morphine to let her sleep away?" I was horrified. "I can not kill your mother," I responded. That was only the beginning. Recently, an 80-year-old was admitted to the emergency room and the physician said, "LET'S DEHYDRATE HER"; one more patient was sentenced to die in hospice with NO TERMINAL DIAGNOSIS and once again, THE LIVING WILL determined the death of a 70-year-old man regardless of how he pleaded to live. I can no longer remain silent."

"There is a huge difference between, assisting the death of someone through an injection or drinking poison than letting nature take it's course. We have come so far with medical ways to keep someone alive. I can readily understand not keeping someone alive with a respirator or other devices but to end someone's life because they are ready to go either through pain or depression is truly inhumane. Also by deciding whose life is worthy and who is not can take us down a slippery slope. I see comments on the pro side where people describe their loved ones going through excruciating pain. Well the other side can have consequences too. My mother was passively euthanized by denying her food and water. If you think this is a pleasant peaceful death, try going without food and water for a couple of days. See how you feel. No it's an agonizing death."

"i understand and feel terrible about what happened to your mother, but this is why it should be leagalized. it would be much better to just take a pill and die a peacedful death then slowly starve yourself"

"I concur with Canadian Sen. Betty Unger, against bill C-14, who stated: "I propose to you that if this legislation was for a clear moral good there would be no need for debate. It would be resoundingly supported not only in these halls, but in the halls of our nation. Yet we do not hear such a sound, fellow Senators. We hear the sound of division, of anger, of disagreement, and of fear. I do not know which is more alarming: The fact that we are on the wrong road, or the fact that we do not recognize it and that so many are cheering."

A fundamental tenant is, "Do not kill the innocent. Life is sacred."

Yet in considering this legislation we have dismissed so many safeguards that the innocent are certain to be killed.

"When deaths by preventable medical errors is ignored at the rate of 750,000-1.5 million people who die each year in the hands of the medical community, and the numbers keep rising, would one really trust the medical profession to assist in suicides? It has been proven it is 4.3 times more dangerous for patients to enter the medical community as patients, than it was to fight World War II. Basically, when one looks at the figures of deaths each year, it could be considered genocide, sanctioned by the US government because the numbers are not decreasing, but increasing."

"I am diagnosed with chronic depression and everyday is endless suffering, I can't wait for the day I die, but yet I am a coward to end it.I may have run out of hope, but other people should never lose hope and shouldn't be tempted to end it."

"its like when you were a child and found a creature on the sidewalk with a broken limb or some other kind of injury. "put it out of its misery" we would say. but if theres a chance you may survive why risk the life you could possibly have? and if theres no chance of life then live in the moment. make the most of it. no consequences."

"What if the doctors begin to do this without a person's consent? What do we do then? At that point, it would already be legal and there is nothing we could do. This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever read. People are actually considering this??? No, I'm good, thank you."

"Though there are so many pros to this subject, where is the peoples hope at? Yes you may be suffering and want to give up so bad, but give yourself a chance to look forward to a better future. Of course the situation may vary depending on age. But if you're in the prime of your life, why not give life a chance to get better. You could have so much to look forward to, we don't know what the future holds so why not try and let yourself hold the self-will and strength. If you go through so much hard times you can barely take, have hope that you'll be rewarded for going through the pain and being a strong person through life. You can't be successful without a sense of optimism"

"What better future is that person suppose to look forward to? I think that this is an individual's choice. Its a Terminal illness. I'm sure you would not let your dog live if he was terminally ill and you felt that he was suffering. think of quality of life. Pro-choice."

"Physicians murder over 650 babies per year in the United States alone because they say that the children will be "mentally disable" or they could die by the age of 10. My cousin rusty wasn't supposed to live past 9 and he is 23. He is a living, breathing miracle."

"I think it should not be legalized because some people don't even get to make the choice whether they want it or not. Also people should be able to have a natural death not a "mercy killing." Is it even a mercy to do it and not let them live longer? I can see were people could come from but how is it for us to decide who lives and dies."

"The entire point of physician assisted suicide is that the patient chooses it. There are many forms that need to be filled out with witness after fifteen days of a verbal request of the procedure to be done. No one is choosing for the patient except for the patient."

"Every state where the Death with Dignity act is legal only the patient can agree to the process. Minors under the age of 18 must have their parents or guardians sign off on them, saying that they agree to allowing the minor have the process preformed. If the patient is not thought to be in a coherent enough state then they won't even allow them to fill out the request form."

"I don't see any good point. Why kill people when they suffer? Need if they want to die, they are giving up their life. It demonstrates that everyone is trying to help you stay alive and you want to die. That's giving up. Euthanasia is pointless and I don't see any good points"

"Euthanasia is killing and destroying the value of life. Our life is God's gift to us and we should be thankful. We should acept what life has brought us no matter how hard or painful it gets, and wait for death to come naturally is how you truly die with dignity. Legalizing euthanasia means you are convincing people to die like their lives are no longer worth to be saved. If you truly care and want to help them, you should support them no matter how hard it gets, as well as loving them. People who commit suicide are just running away from their problems and the reality, and it is not a good thing. you can't bring back what you lost, so think of what you have now."

"NO because we are not a robot we r human being we come and go naturally but some person need medical so just give them not to tell them you have only few month or few week its just wrong morally in society doctor are not god there r just like every human being with degree to kill people i think sick and crazy."

"By rescinding legal protection for the lives of one group of people, the government implicitly communicates the message--before anyone signs a form to accept this alleged benefit--that they may be better off dead. Thus, the bias of too many able-bodied people against the value of life for someone with an illness or disability is embodied in official policy."

"My opinion is that we should not end the life of anyone because we cannot give life; therefore, neither should be removed. I think it's a murder like any other and liken it to abortion. In conclusion, Stella Young said: “The killing of a disabled person is not 'compassionate'. It is not 'euthanasia'. It is murder”, and I agree with her."

"Beats the alternative, which is suffering alot either physically, or emotionally. Think about the people such as Brittany, the one who decided to end her life, due to terminal cancer, or Dylan Klebold, who wanted to die so bad. If they allowed something like physician assisted suicide to happen, alot of massacres and suffering would end peacefully, and not only that, get rid of a psychopath who will wind up comitting suicide by cop, or by armed gunman, and will be put out of their misery. By allowing those who want to leave the earth in a dignified and peaceful way, we eliminate the chance of mass murder, and uncalled for suffering. If you follow the stories of the aforementioned people, they were already dying inside, and it was a matter of time before something was going to give. The arguments against it are mostly with this "God", and not real logic. If a person wants to die, they are going to do it one way or the other, either by their own hand, or the hand of someone else, and the results only feed activists, and media desperate for sob stories, nothing that really counts as tangable. So, why can't people, if they are adults, why can't they end their lives in a diginifed, and paceful way. Think about it before you attack me."

"I am extremely against euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide because I believe God is the giver and taker of life. It isn't our job to end life. God says in 1 Peter 2:21 to endure suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. God rewards our suffering. However, I can see how someone who doesn't have hope in Jesus would choose the rout of euthanasia or physician assisted suicide. I also can't say how I would respond if I were going through the pain that many terminally ill people are going through. I understand that they go through unimaginable pain and suffering but at the same time I believe God has a reason for everything, and I hope if I were ever to undergo such suffering that I would endure until the end."

"If "God" is the giver and taker of life, then why would you want to prevent him from taking the life? If it isnt our job to end life, then its not our job to prevent someones death either. A person shouldnt have to suffer and then die just because of your religion"

"I am not educated on it...I LIVE IT EVERYDAY...EVERY MOMENT. Why is this always about Drs and families, and often other people's God or faith choice...but so little about the suffering human being? My goodness DOGS & CATS are treated with more humanity and compassion than I am offered. My choice? I get to choose to starve to death, in secret in fear my 'loved ones' will disregard my right to self determination. Shame on every human being, esp. Healthy non paining ones who feel they have a right, (ugg I want to vomit at this point) to FORCE me to remain in unending pain for time upon time....now 48 my family lives long...and i have a disease that put my immune system in overdrive healing me from most everything easily...but the pain, conveniently....yet it eats my own body when it has nothing to heal...so do I get to live 20 years in agony, how bout 30, 40? Whenis enough in your book...mine is every surgery possible and 8 yrs and 1 month since the hanging accident that started my hell whilst travelling on the train Nariz del Diablo in 2006. When do I have the right in your book to the rights you brag about and vote for every day...why is your rights to your happiness and freedoms superced mine? Something to ponder, eh?!"

"I am opposed to the legalization of voluntary euthanasia for terminally ill patients as administered by physicians (it goes without saying I would opposed involuntary euthanasia as well). While I respect and advocate for patients to have control and dignity in dying, it is contrary to the vocation of medicine to intentionally hasten or cause death. In all cases (medical or non-medical), taking human life should be a last resort, and until our society has given appropriate attention to pain control, hospice care, and advance directive, we will not have met the criteria of last resort with respect to legalized euthanasia. I accept refusal or non-treatment of patients with terminal conditions wherein the underlying cause of death is a disease or organic pathology."

"you have a good point, but if vets are to animals as doctors are to people, cant the same be said about putting animals down? also, if a person has committed to the idea of suicide, it is much more reasonable and less traumatic to allow them to choose euthanasia than perhaps kill themselves the old-fashioned way- if you'll excuse my frankness"

"Though people do have the full right to physically govern their own lives, it can be a major restriction on the world's knowledge of medicine if future patients choose to quickly end their lives. Not that the terminally ill should suffer, but many times, the longer they endure the pain of illness, the more it helps future patients by the knowledge of certain diseases and their cures, and the future lives can be saved."

"I am a christian and GOD says that he should let him be in control of your life and in the bible it says do not murder and way should you chooses wether to die be for your time and as long as you have one breath you can praises GOD or turn some one to him and I'm only 13 years old and southern babdist and I hate euthanasia"

"Euthanasia is directly killing of innocent life. it should never be legal. There are so many reasons why its wrong to kill anyone regardless of health or age. People are not animals. we must do or best to heal them, but we shouldnt kill them if there is no other way."

"I don't think euthanasia should be allowed because its killing people and that person should get respect and its not by its nature to kill people they should decide. Doctors should save life's not take life's"

"I do not think that this is right. Yes it would save money if insurance companies didn't have to pay for peoples medical treatments if they are already dying, but that is not a good enough reason to push people into dying. I think it against most people's religion which yes that is not always a big thing in peoples lives but the lives that it is a big deal in it is causing a big issue. I understand that some people are suffering because they are in pain but I don't think that is a good enough reason to end a life. I also think it is way to close to murder for comfort. If you can sit and watch someone die and just say oh, but I didn't touch them I just sat there and watched that is just as big of an issue. I think that yes it is okay for a doctor to take someones tubes out if they are in a coma with no chance of coming out of that I think that is a completely different topic than going to someone's house to feed them medicine to kill them or sufficate them. I don't think that is ever or should ever be accepted."

"wrong! what if it cancer or something what then? what if the sickness is to far in the body? why do you think people are okay with it? because it lets then be free from the pain. if you were in the place of it what then?"

"If I was your daughter and I had a disease like Motor Neurone, would you be happy to sit back and watch me suffer even if my wish was to die on my own terms. Would you be content if I tryed to kill myself because I believed there was no more hope?"

"I understand the struggle of watching a loved one suffer, because i've had that experience too. However, is it really right to kill one of your family members? Kill IS the right word, because it means to cause the death of, and your approving the death of your loved one means that you basically lost all hope for them ever surviving. I"

"it is to "kill" or give right to "kill" to another unmoral inhumane and cruel to the family to the patiant and to the one perfoming the assisted suicide. i never give up and when my great aunt went to the hospitel with brain cancer my family was there for her we didnt give up we conferted her in the end she did die but she died happy with her family beside her"

"when you mentioned "is it really right to kill one of your family members?" technically, you're not killing that person and you're not approving the death of your loved one, only that loved one can give permission. Kill is a strong. Just consider, don't you believe people should have the right to die however they want?"

"I believe in all that the Roman Catholic Church teaches through my own personal conviction. I believe euthanasia is morally unacceptable because every person has human dignity because we were made by God in his image. It is his gift to us so we have no place rejecting it. In most cases the wish to die is caused by depression, which is treatable. I have a friend who has wished to die innumerable times, and I don't know what I would do without her. Please, for those of you with the same desire, know how precious you are. You never know how loved you are or what an amazing difference you can make in this world, so have courage and hope! Live every day to the fullest, knowing that you are uniquely precious and irreplaceable. If anyone needs additional help, I would advise you to seek a professional counselor. Find a youth group or set up a weekly schedule to hang out with someone close to you, doing something positive."

"Maybe, but what about watching the person who is suffering. Isn't that also depressing as well? I mean, they have to think of the person who is suffering. Imagine the pain they are going through, and put yourself in their shoes. I mean, if you were suffering like that, and you wanted the pain to stop, wouldn't you want people to allow you to go away with dignity? Beats the alternative. If people were truly as humane as they are, they would understand that the life of that person is in your hands, and it would be very cruel to allow a termanilly ill, or injured person to continue to suffer, especially if there is no chance for them to survive and lead a normal life, it would be more humane. As far as the "lead to dispopulation, and it's the domino effect" as you put it. I doubt that would happen, since not everyone is terminally ill or suffering with extreme pain. Something to think about."

"No, because it's still killing a person. yes. it is very sad that ppl you love or cherish might be dying but who are we to judge and terminate a human life it's like abortion. But it is up to the person let his blood be on his own hand. There is a reason for everything."

"I am against Euthanasia because it is not only morally wrong, but it is against my religion as well. Every life is worth living, and humans are not God for a reason. We do not have the ability to choose who dies, when, and why for a specific reason: Because we would abuse that power and disappoint the Lord so much."

"Euthanasia should be legal if you are wanting it to happen to yourself. If you are old and have some kind of chronic and terrible disease, you want to just have to suffer from it or watch someone suffer for it? It shouldn't be taken as "Assisted Suicide" at all. Only because if you agree to it and don't want to suffer from something terrible, someone isn't just injecting something into your body. You should have to want it and that is the only way you should get it."

"I do believe that euthanasia should be legalized because it is up to the patient to choose, whether he or she chooses life or death, I couldn't give a damn. However, TECHNICALLY speaking, euthanasia, by its definition of "physician-assisted suicide" is murder, because killing someone with their consent is the same as killing someone without their consent; in the end, you're still killing someone. Legalizing euthanasia, in other words, would be creating a legal and government-protected method of killing people, at the bare minimum. Not taking into account all the details, just looking at the facts and definitions, euthanasia is murder, and no person has the right to take a life but their own."

"consider a few scenarios.should the doctor have the right to determine life and death of a patient? a doctor only knows the medical state of the patient, but he doesnt know enough of the patient to know does the patient want to give up living.does the family have the right? as much as you hurt to see the patient living on machines and living in pain, you wanting him/her to go in peace is only a selfsh thought as YOU dont want to see him/her in pain. what about the patient himself? if he could not take the pain and decide to end his own life, isnt that suicide? then why is suicide illegal and punishable by jail time and euthanasia legal? the mental suffering of suicidal people could be equal to the physical pain of said patient so why does one have the chance to end his life but the other doesnt?"

"The doctor doesn't have the join. He or she isn't allowed to determine the patient's life or death unless they have no family, and are mute.

It isn't a selfish thought, the family knows what pain that person is going through, and the patient put his/her hands because they trust them!

I keep seeing these same comments, and I find that quite aggravating... People who are suffering and are to be Euthanized are NOT suicidal. Suicidal people are quote on quote, "deeply unhappy or depressed and likely to commit suicide." To be unhappy with how life, selfless, and lost. And yes, there is help for those suicidal, trust me. But this has NOTHING to do with suicide, so please stop bringing it up.

Everyone has equal right and those people get the decision, or the decision is given to relatives."

"Here is the only way I would be against euthanasia: ALL the medication, hospital costs would be FREE to the end of the persons life. I guarantee that Big Pharma, the AMA, the Hospitals would be IN FAVOR of euthanasia. Folks, IT'S ABOUT THE MONEY & ONLY THE MONEY."

""Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time?" -Ecclesiastes 7:17

"You shall not murder." -Exodus 20:13

"Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image." -Genesis 9:6

"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple." -1 Corinthians 3:16-17"

"It's true that you shouldn't destroy God's temple. You should keep on fighting that illness. If you have faith in God Have faith for that he will cure that illness. When the times comes for you to go you do ,but meanwhile fight and enjoy life. Including those who suffer from depression, not illnesss, fight because God loves you and you should have faith in him because he will always come to you."

"When ever humans get involved in anything they take it to the extreem. How soon before they determine that all 90 yrs old need to die, then 80, then 70. Lets face it the world is over populated now. just a short time ago abortion was illegal unless raped now it is for anyone who wants it in most states so the value of human life has gone down. Those of you who think this should be approved think about it someday you will be old too! Death should be a natural thing so approve automatic DNR (do not recitate) and those options but assisted suicide-NO! Besides if you really want to end it you already know how."

"What is wrong with you? No one is going around killing the elderly. We're discussing the right to end your own life if that life becomes torturous and unlivable. Nowhere has it been mentioned that we should start opting to kill the elderly instead of care for them.

And the last sentence is such hypocrisy. Seems you condone everyday run-of-the-mill suicide, yet not the right to a painless, dignified death, while surrounded by loved ones one last time to say your goodbyes."

"It's up to God and only God on how we come and go. If assisted suicide is legal, soon it'll lead to other things. Just look at this country now. Abortion is legal, death penalty, and euthanasia in some states. If someone is in deep pain, a doctor killing them is no different than putting a dog down. Not that I think that's okay either, but it's putting no limits on anything. We need limits to survive in this world. I may sound over-dramatic, but this is serious. If someone is in a coma, that's a different story. I think that sometimes a person's body may be living, but they'll not really in it. However, that's up to the family and the family only. A doctor should never agree to this, or they'll all become just like the doctor who helped people kill themselves illegally. I'm sorry but if you need assistance with suicide, you shouldn't be killing yourself. If you're in a deep pain, there are ways to rid of that pain. There's always a better alternative, especially when it comes to ending a life. If this becomes okay, what about mentally sick people who kill themselves, is that okay? Soon suicide and murder will be looked at as a norm. That CANNOT happen, for this reason I rest my case and let the real judge make the decision."

"You write as if everyone but myself has a RIGHT to chose my fate. Who gives you and YOUR faith choices to remove my right to compassion and freedom from unending non-repairable pain? It is blantently apparent to me you have NO experience living with pain 1440 mins a day...24/7/365/...who knows the years...knowing I will never get well or better than I am...I have the fortune of looking forward to a slow excrutiating existance until I have the blessing of freedom via death and my chance to be free of this broken body of mine.

So do you require a pet to remain in agony, struggling to get up and feed himself or take himself to pee always limping in pain...do you force that animal to live in inhumane torture...or are you compassionate enough to relieve the poor bugger from his suffering? Since most people I have met are compassionate humans they would sadly, with love, relieve their beloved pet once it suffers too much....so why do I deserve less? Why am I forced to endure more and longer pain than the neighborhood DOG....where is my compassion, your God and my right to humane care? I beg you to reconsider how the hurting sick ppl feel and their/our right to freedom of choice, rather than EVERYONE ELSE!"

"You need to rethink and reread. It's DOCTOR ASSISTED, that means the person made the decision and the doctor is helping so as it to be quick and painless. You use a person in a COMA, how about Lunatics who are not their real selves, Alzheimer's.?? Wake up and smell the coffee."

"Dear Sally, There are many reasons. Yes it is ok when the patient (the one who is WANTING to die) says it is ok. The person is pleading for help, and no one will let them die. When you are in a vegetative state and want to leave this earth you should be able to pull the plug. What if your loved one had a terminal disease, and they were in pain day in and day out. There was no hope for them getting better, and they wished they could die, and not just the "I'm hurt I wish i was dead." The "I am in pain this life isn't worth living" What would you do? Let them suffer in pain while they sit there? Or let them go on?"

"but what if they want them to kill them/end their life.? they can chose to or not. they are suffering. (well people that have a terminal illness. they suffer, like if they know they are going to be paralized they wont be able to tell if they are in pain or not."

"Thats just awful. I am totally against it! Why would someone take their life, only because they are suffering just a bit? Everyone is suffering in his own way, the life isn't a pony farm (German saying)"

"my cousin was bed since the moment he was born it took 13 year of pain until he was finally at peace, and yet you call it little, you do know what terminal is right? it mean [from the webster dictionary]a.leading ultimately to death, OR, b. extremely or hopelessly severe."

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